While the test performes read/write cycles on every memory cell and checks
functionality of all CHIP SELECT inputs, the device CANNOT check the speed
limits of the RAM under test.
The device is easily operated by a single button navigation. Each keystroke
results in an action visualized by the 2 LEDs.

Operation:
Put the device in front of you so you can read the string on the upper side
of the PCB. This means the LEDs are on the upper right and the TEXTOOL socket
located on the upper left. Below you can see the 40-pin microcontroller.
All references to locations refer to the described orientation of PCB.

Put the RAM chip in the TEXTOOL socket with the notch facing left. Align
RAM most left. Do not bend any pins. Make sure all pins are properly seated.
Flip the socket lever to lock the chip. Double check the orientation.
Reversed insertion will most likely destroy the RAM under test instantly,
however, the test device cannot be damaged by any RAM chip inserted, neither
defective nor misplaced.

Now provide power to the device by connecting the battery holder equipped
with four 1.2 volts AA batteries to the battery clip connector.
Alternatively you may use any stabilized and smoothed +5V DC power supply but
NOTE: Applying wrong or reversed voltage may instantly destroy the test
device. Spikes and surges from switching power supplies may result in
unpredictable behaviour of the RAM Tester, thus, eventually showing unreliable
test results.

fig. 1

Both LEDs start blinking simultaneously (fig. 1) when the device was powered.
To select the RAM type press the button and keep it pressed.

fig. 2

While pressing the button the LEDs start toggling (green, red, both, green, red,both...) (fig. 2).
To test a 5101 release the button while the green LED was lit, for a 6810
just release while the red LED was lit. For 6116, 5116 or 6516 release, when both LEDs were lit.

NOTE: Do not proceed in the case of wrong selection, as the test results
won't be trustworthy on any circumstances. Again, selecting the wrong RAM
type won't damage the test device but may destroy the RAM under test.
Reboot the device by powering off and on again. Now make the proper selection.

fig. 3

The device confirms your selection by blinking the selected LED only. Assuming we selected a type 5101, the green LED will blink (fig. 3).

When done, press the button to run the test. Depending on the selected device the corresponding LED starts rapid blinking.Finally the test result is indicated by either the green LED (tested good) or the red LED (test failed).

When we tested the board, we had a known bad 5101, which have had a thermal problem, quitting operation after around 10 minutes under power. To address such problems we implemented a procedure allowing to run indefinite tests. To enable long term testing just keep the button pressed for at least 3 seconds before starting the test run. Now the test program runs until the button was pressed again OR the test failed.

Press the button to go back to the selection menu or power off to remove the RAM under test.

CAUTION: We always recommend to power the device off when
inserting or removing a RAM chip. However, we never succeeded to destroy a
chip, when hot plugged. On the other hand it is easy to destroy a 5101 by
static electricity (we wasted alot during developement :-), so ground yourself before touching any pins of the RAM
under test.

The devices functionality results from cool software rather than
complicated hardware, so the range of RAM able to be tested may be extended
in the future.

For those who are able to programm the microcontroller on the PCB the
programming pins (MISO,MOSI,SCK,RESET,+5V & GND) are routed to solder pads (fig. 4)
allowing the connection to a generic AVR programmer. The latest software can be
supplied on demand. The recent version is 2.20. Check against the version label on your module.